Activity Aide

Work Environment: This job operates in a health care setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the facility.  Rotating shifts (excluding third shift) as well as holidays and work during inclement weather will be required.

Physical Demands:    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, climbing, pushing and pulling all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items weighing 50 pounds or less.

Mental Demands:  This position needs to be reliable and trustworthy, along with being alert and aware.  It is an important part of the job to ensure the safety of all residents under the facility’s care.

Equipment:  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines as well as nursing equipment such as Gait Belts, Wheelchairs, Tie Downs (van straps), Lift Measurements, and Oxygen Tanks.  This position also routinely uses arts/crafts tools and supplies, games and sports equipment and Audio/visual equipment.

Education /Experience:  A high school diploma or GED required.  A minimum of one (1) year of experience preferred, but not required. 

Skill(s):  Moderate reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills; proficient interpersonal skills and communicative skills; proficient manual dexterity and motor coordination knowledge of the social, psychological, physical, and recreational needs of the aging.

General Responsibilities:  Responsible for assisting with the presentation of daily activities and special events to assist with restorative care; to maintain an optimal level of psychosocial functioning; implementing specific procedures and programs; coordinating work within the unit or department, as well as with other departments and units; reporting pertinent information to the immediate supervisor.

Essential Duties

• Assists with the presentation of daily activities and special events to assist with restorative care, resumption of resident’s normal activities, and to maintain an optimal level of psychosocial functioning by performing any or all of the following duties:

• Plans and offers suggestions relative to the recreational therapeutic activity programs; maintains awareness of potential for new activity programming.

• Prepares and performs activity assignment as scheduled; exhibits flexibility towards established timeframes, informs residents of scheduled activities, and encourages residents’ attendance.

• Maintains attendance records; records residents’ participation and assembles quarterly activity summaries noting if resident has attained established goals.

• Provides for low level small sensory group activity; re-motivation groups, and one-to-one interaction three (3) times per week as assigne

• Involves residents in special programs and special recognition activities including holidays, birthdays, National Nurses’ Week, etc.

• Provides individual attention to residents in regards to:

• A friendly visit.
• Sensory or environmental stimulation.
• Reality orientation.
• Assistance with specific leisure pursuits.
• Assist to meet individual goals as outlined in resident’s care plan.

• Assists with passing meals and feeding of residents who are on the restorative feeding program; maintain awareness of proper procedures and techniques in feeding residents with special restorative needs.

• Transport residents as necessary

• Aides in orientation of new residents to the Manor.

• Provides for monthly decorations.

• Assists nursing in residents’ restorative walking programs as assigned

• Cleans up Activities Room weekly to maintain a neat and orderly appearance; returns materials and supplies to their proper place.

• Participates in fund-raising activities.

• Implements specific procedures and programs.

• Insures an atmosphere which allows for the privacy, dignity, and well-being of all residents in a safe, secure environment.

• Follows universal precautions.

• Maintains departmental awareness of individual responsibilities under the established Fire Safety/Disaster plan.

• Insures the confidentiality of all resident- and/or employee-related information.

• Insures compliance with established quality assurance program.

• Coordinates specific work tasks with other personnel within the unit or department as well as with other units and departments in order to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of information.

• Abides by the current laws and organizational policies and procedures designed and implemented to promote an environment which is free of sexual harassment and other forms of illegal discriminatory behavior in the work place.

• Cooperates with, participates in, and supports the adherence to all internal policies, procedures, and practices in support of risk management and overall safety and soundness.

• Reports pertinent information to the Activities Director as requested, or according to an established schedule; compiles information as necessary or as directed and provides data to appropriate Arbutus Park Manor personnel.

• Attends all mandatory in-service training and continuing education programs/seminars.

Ancillary Duties:  This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  Arbutus Park Manor is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Our employees and residents are what make Arbutus the family atmosphere that it is. Since 1973, we have remained an independent, non-profit, and faith-based organization. Located in Richland Township, Johnstown Pennsylvania and nestled in the Laurel Highlands, Arbutus Park Retirement Community has over 45 acres of ground with a central nursing facility and over 80 independent residences.